Emerging markets and their integrating economies focus on mega-events, help define "globalisation"

Much like import/export figures and other benchmarks that track the economic strength of a country, mega-event hosting is now used more and more often to help define the success of an integrating economy. From sports events, to diplomatic summits, to cultural exhibitions, Russia is proving its rapid integration into the global market through its efforts to open its doors. In line with other major events set to take place in Russia in the near future, such as the 2013 Summer Universiade in Kazan, the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and Russia's continued hosting of annual events such as the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, a World Expo in Ekaterinburg would showcase the impressive transformation that is taking place not only in the Ural Mountains, but across Russia.

"In recent decades Russia has opened our doors and improved our connectedness with the world community," said Arkady Dvorkovich, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation. "Times of fiscal stress for some economies can be opportunities for others. Russia's economy is rapidly integrating, and with that in mind, Russia is 100 percent focused on earning the rights to host the World Expo 2020 in Russia in Ekaterinburg."

Dvorkovich appeared at a meeting of the 152nd General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) in Paris today alongside Evgeniy Kuyvashev, Governor of the Sverdlovsk region. They led a Russian delegation that presented the country's Bid to the 151 members of the BIE. The final vote that will decide the host city of the World Expo 2020 will take place in November 2013.

Since the first Universal Exposition in London in 1851, globalisation has been an underlying theme in all World Expos. These gatherings have consistently served as a driving force for economic, technological and cultural exchange. Russia has proposed "The Global Mind" as its Bid theme. During the meeting today, Dvorkovich explained that the theme "would allow us to propel the World Expo movement into the new age and help to better explain new challenges of globalisation: its meaning and its effects in today's redefined geography."

"As Russia displays a considerable economic growth, our country gets more and more integrated globally - not only economically, but also culturally and socially," added Dvorkovich.

Earlier this year, Russia became a member of the WTO, and it will soon join the OECD. In the next few years, Russia will participate at major international forums such as the Group of Twenty in 2013, the Group of Eight and BRICS Summits in 2014. In parallel, Dvorkovich added, "Russia's self-positioning through hosting mega-events is helping it integrate into the global scene beyond policy and politics."